Thirty-nine Iranian political prisoners have written a letter to the head of Iran’s judiciary to protest against the transfer of Abolfazl Ghadiyani to Ghezel Hesar Prison, calling it a “blatant violation of the current rules and regulations.”
The letter, which was posted on opposition websites today, states that Ghezel Hesar is a facility for “prisoners charged with dangerous crimes and drug charges, and there are no political prisoners” held there.
Ghadiyani’s wife, Zahra Rahimi, reported last week that prison authorities had informed her that her husband was not allowed any visits and would soon be transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.
Today’s letter urges the head of the judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, to intervene in the transfer order issued by Judge Salavati, whom the prisoners accused of malicious intent against Ghadiyani. The letter adds that, in addition to Ghadiyani’s rights being violated, seven other prisoners, the jailed Nematollah dervishes, have also been taken to solitary and are now being held incommunicado.
Ghadiyani has been very vocal in his criticism of the government’s treatment of political prisoners and the opposition movement, and his recent public letters addressed to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei appear to have won him serious repercussions in jail.
The 66-year-old Ghadiyani is the oldest political prisoner being held following the 2009 election protests. He is serving a three-year jail term for insulting Ayatollah Khamenei and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
